What's the deal with identity theft companies

[seeahill]

like Lifelock and Trusted ID. A little research tells me I can do pretty much everything that they do for free. But a little self knowledge tells me I won't do it or keep current. It looks like a single guy can get either of these programs for about $120 a year.

Worth it?

[DrDonkeyLove]

I can't speak of the benefits of one ID theft company over another but I have my credit monitored via my Discover card for $10/mo. I think the actual monitoring is by Equifax.

I thought it was kind of a waste of until I experienced ID theft by someone who discovered my name, address, SS#, and birth date. This summer was brutal - at least 20 attempts by people almost successfully setting up bank accounts and credit cards in my name.

The heads up I received by having this service was well worth the money. It allowed me to put water on the spot fires quickly. They gave me some good advice and assistance as well.

I don't think I'll ever go without this service again.

[Thatcher II]

I can't speak of the benefits of one ID theft company over another but I have my credit monitored via my Discover card for $10/mo. I think the actual monitoring is by Equifax.

I thought it was kind of a waste of until I experienced ID theft by someone who discovered my name, address, SS#, and birth date. This summer was brutal - at least 20 attempts by people almost successfully setting up bank accounts and credit cards in my name.

The heads up I received by having this service was well worth the money. It allowed me to put water on the spot fires quickly. They gave me some good advice and assistance as well.

I don't think I'll ever go without this service again.

Yeah I heard they target doctors.

[seeahill]

And seniors, old farts, like me. Seniors are more likely to have a good credit score, a paid for home, a nest egg. And we're dumb as dog shit and not very technologically advanced.

[Bob Wildes]

The IRS has been having to deal with a big upsurge in identity theft/fraud since early 2012
at the latest.

One example is that gangs in the Miami area, for instance, pay a low level employee like a
receptionist at a dental office for names and social security numbers. That with a phony W-2
and an early electronic filing of a tax return can net the perp with an easy $1,000 to $5,000
in the relative blink of an eye.

[seeahill]

I coughed up $109 for a year of the service.

[Mickey O'neil]

Can someone steal your identity or commit cc fraud from just having your name, address, and phone number? Everything I've read said unlikely, but didn't know if someone might have personal experience. I replied to a craigslist ad and sent just my name, addy, and number. Evidently this scam has been around a while and they are just wanting the $2000.

Hello,

Thank you for contacting me about my 2002 Toyota Tacoma SR5 Pickup 4x4. The car is in great shape with 138,500 miles.Transmission is automatic and title is clear. I'm the first owner and I am selling it for $2000 because my husband died 1 month ago (he had a heart attack) and brings me bad memories. Along with my 4 years old daughter we decided to sell the house and moved to my brother in Idaho, trying to start a new life.

I want to use eBay services, so if you're interested in purchasing the car just reply me your full name, full address and phone number, so I can notify eBay. Once that is done, they will contact you in the next 24 hours to explain the entire procedure.
P
Thank you,
Martha Roland

I sent my info before reading the following email. Once I realized that the car was not available locally I told them I was not interested. I never received anymore emails.


Hi again,

The car is stored with all the paperwork in eBay warehouse #15,in Boise, ID, sealed and ready for delivery. The car is there already because someone agreed to buy it, but in the end he never got the loan. For this reason, the shipping is already paid. The transaction will be made thru eBay because they can protect both of us and they also offer 10 days inspection period. You'll have 10 days to test/drive the car before decided to keep it or not. If the car is not like I described you'll ship it back on my expense and they will give you a full refund. eBay will hold the funds until you receive the car with all the papers work. Only after you confirm them that you wanna keep it they will release me the funds. In this way you will be able to inspect the car before committing to buy it.
So, if you are interested, I need your full name and a shipping address!

Thank you,
Martha


There was a long thread on the eBay site where they were saying that they were base out of Nigeria or EE and were scamming people out of $2000. I think they are only interested in getting cash, but I want to see if they can do anything with just the info I gave them.

TIA!

[Turdacious]

I coughed up $109 for a year of the service.

From what I've heard, ID theft techniques vary between urban and rural areas. Consider getting a mailbox that locks if you don't already have one.

[Mickey O'neil]

Cool. Thanks, Turd!

I coughed up $109 for a year of the service.

From what I've heard, ID theft techniques vary between urban and rural areas. Consider getting a mailbox that locks if you don't already have one.

[nafod]

Fortunately I had a security clearance investigation that someone handed over to the Russians and Chinese, so I get these services for free now. Yay!

I got into an argument with someone from my bank who was trying to sell me identity theft insurance.

"So you want me to take out insurance to cover an incident where you give my money to someone who is not me? WTF?"

This is a place where the feds could play a role creating technologies to assured identity. The fact that identity theft companies exist is proof that the market won't do it for us.

[Turdacious]

This is a place where the feds could play a role creating technologies to assured identity.

If they won't do it for voting why would they do it for finance?

[nafod]

This is a place where the feds could play a role creating technologies to assured identity.

If they won't do it for voting why would they do it for finance?

$$$

[Bob Wildes]

This is a place where the feds could play a role creating technologies to assured identity.

If they won't do it for voting why would they do it for finance?

$$$

You don't think that there are huge sums to be made from politics?

[nafod]

This is a place where the feds could play a role creating technologies to assured identity.

If they won't do it for voting why would they do it for finance?

$$$

You don't think that there are huge sums to be made from politics?

Not in improving the voting process.

[seeahill]

A few weeks ago, I was in Richmond, VA on business at the convention center there. I needed some money. I found an ATM at the nearby Marriot Hotel. Used my UBS Visa. Eight days later UBS fraud dept calls. Someone was using that card in a town near Richmond. They took out $400. Did a balance inquiry (which didn't do any good because that card doesn't give out that info.) Undaunted, the bad guys went ahead and took $400 out again. Five times in a row.

Now, I guess the crooks put a credit card reader in the ATM (it was a swipe machine, not one that reads chips.) Anyway, UBS caught it. The balance inquiry and the five subsequent withdrawals might have alerted them. Anyway, the charges are disputed and UBS tells me I'm not out any money.

But where the hell was "Trusted ID," my identity theft company. I checked my account and they say they are monitoring that card and that everything is hunky-dory. What?

[DrDonkeyLove]

A few weeks ago, I was in Richmond, VA on business at the convention center there. I needed some money. I found an ATM at the nearby Marriot Hotel. Used my UBS Visa. Eight days later UBS fraud dept calls. Someone was using that card in a town near Richmond. They took out $400. Did a balance inquiry (which didn't do any good because that card doesn't give out that info.) Undaunted, the bad guys went ahead and took $400 out again. Five times in a row.

Now, I guess the crooks put a credit card reader in the ATM (it was a swipe machine, not one that reads chips.) Anyway, UBS caught it. The balance inquiry and the five subsequent withdrawals might have alerted them. Anyway, the charges are disputed and UBS tells me I'm not out any money.

But where the hell was "Trusted ID," my identity theft company. I checked my account and they say they are monitoring that card and that everything is hunky-dory. What?

I don't know what your company promises but the one I use advises me of when my credit info is pulled such as when someone wants to get a new credit card in my name. Keep your eye out for that and for the new faux Timmy adding people to your UBS credit card account.

Once they drill into you they can be relentless.

[Schlegel]

A few weeks ago, I was in Richmond, VA on business at the convention center there. I needed some money. I found an ATM at the nearby Marriot Hotel. Used my UBS Visa. Eight days later UBS fraud dept calls. Someone was using that card in a town near Richmond. They took out $400. Did a balance inquiry (which didn't do any good because that card doesn't give out that info.) Undaunted, the bad guys went ahead and took $400 out again. Five times in a row.

Now, I guess the crooks put a credit card reader in the ATM (it was a swipe machine, not one that reads chips.) Anyway, UBS caught it. The balance inquiry and the five subsequent withdrawals might have alerted them. Anyway, the charges are disputed and UBS tells me I'm not out any money.

But where the hell was "Trusted ID," my identity theft company. I checked my account and they say they are monitoring that card and that everything is hunky-dory. What?

What they did is related, but not exactly identity theft. It also leaves no trace until they actually pull the money...there is no way for an ID theft co. to know that your card has been skimmed and copied until it is used. These guys need nothing more than the card swipe and video of the pin entry, they don't know your name, address, and SSN and don't need it.

[seeahill]

Thanks.

[Pinky]

Fortunately I had a security clearance investigation that someone handed over to the Russians and Chinese, so I get these services for free now. Yay!

This is a place where the feds could play a role creating technologies to assured identity. The fact that identity theft companies exist is proof that the market won't do it for us.

I just received confirmation from OPM that my info was part of their breach as well. The government needs to handle their own IT security in a competent manner before they can be trusted to do anything on a larger scale.